"You can try," Peter said calmly.
The scrimmage started. Jake drove toward the basket. Fast and aggressive.
Peter stayed with him effortlessly, his years of martial arts training giving him the footwork and reflexes to match Jake's movements. When Jake tried to shoot, Peter was already there.
Blocked the shot cleanly.
Jake looked shocked.
On the next possession, Peter got the ball. He dribbled past Jake with a crossover that left the senior stumbling. Drove to the basket. Drew the defense. Passed to Flash for an open layup. Flash scored and pointed at Peter in thanks.
The scrimmage continued. Peter controlled the game without dominating it. He scored when needed. Passed when it made sense. Defended aggressively but fairly.
Peter's training had paid off in measurable ways. He'd been tracking his progress obsessively through the system for years.
[Current Physical Assessment:
Physique: 2.8/10
Baseline Comparisons:
- Average untrained human: 0.5
- Regular gym-goer: 1.0
- High school athlete: 1.5-2.0
- College varsity athlete: 2.3-2.8
- Olympic level athlete: 2.8-3.2
- Peak natural human: 5.0
- Enhanced human threshold: 6.0+
Current Capabilities:
- Mile time: 4:32
- Bench press: 215 lbs (exceptional for his age and weight)
- Vertical jump: 34 inches
- Reaction time: Top 0.5% of natural humans
- Body fat percentage: 9%
- Martial arts: Black belt equivalent in three disciplines
- Flexibility: Near gymnast level]
He was approaching peak human capability through pure training and discipline. No serums.
No genetic modifications. Just thousands of subjective hours of work in his temporal acceleration dimension.
Martial arts. Gymnastics. Strength training. Cardiovascular conditioning. Flexibility work.
All calibrated for someone his age to avoid injury while maximizing growth.
His goal was clear: reach peak human capability (Physique 5.0) naturally before he ever touched anything experimental.
In a certain alternate timeline Steve Rogers had achieved it through the super soldier serum, but Rogers had been peak human BEFORE the serum—that's why he was chosen.
Certain men had come close through pure dedication, estimated at Physique 4.2. Peter was determined to get there through time and disciplined effort.
The spider bite wasn't in his plans. Not like the original timeline where Peter Parker got bitten randomly during a field trip and just hoped for the best. That was reckless.
Amateur.
He'd rather not gamble on some 'plot'.
Peter had researched Oscorp's genetic experiments extensively. When the time came, he'd acquire one of their experimental spiders through careful planning. Study it thoroughly.
Analyze its venom composition. Map the genetic modifications. Create a controlled serum that he could test extensively in his temporal dimension. Refine it. Perfect it.
Only then would he consider application.
That was the professional approach. The smart approach. The approach that minimized risk and maximized results.
But even without enhanced powers, his current stats put him at elite college athlete levels despite being only a junior in high school.
His Mind stat of 7.5 was already functionally superhuman—no natural human could match his processing speed, memory retention, or knowledge depth across multiple disciplines.
His Spirit stat of 3.5 gave him mental fortitude, focus, and emotional control far beyond normal limits.
He was already exceptional by any reasonable measure. The spider enhancement would eventually make him something beyond exceptional. But he'd get there on his own terms. Carefully.
Intelligently. When he was ready.
Coach Wilson watched from the sideline with increasing interest. By the end of the scrimmage, Peter's team had won decisively.
Peter had scored twelve points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Solid numbers but not unrealistic for a talented player with exceptional court awareness.
The whistle blew. "Alright, that's enough. Everyone hit the showers. I'll post the team roster tomorrow morning."
In the bleachers, the three girls had all leaned forward during the game. Watching Peter move.
Watching him play. Watching the confidence and control he displayed.
MJ had her notepad out. Taking notes for her article. But her eyes kept drifting from the paper to Peter.
Gwen's was actually working mentally overtime. Calculating Peter's performance metrics. Noticing the precision in his movements. The way he seemed to be always exactly where he needed to be.
Felicia just watched with a knowing smile. Like she was seeing something everyone else was missing.
Peter walked toward the locker room. Flash jogged up beside him.
"Dude. DUDE. Where did you learn to play like that?"
"Practice," Peter said. "Lots of practice."
"That wasn't just practice-level good. That was natural talent. You made Jake Martinez look like a rookie out there."
"Jake's good. I just read his movements well."
"You're going to make varsity," Flash predicted. "Junior making varsity on first tryout. That almost never happens."
"We'll see tomorrow," Peter said.
In the locker room, Peter changed back into his regular clothes. Other players congratulated him. Told him he'd done well. Jake Martinez even grudgingly admitted Peter had real skills.
Peter accepted the compliments gracefully. He wasn't trying to make enemies or show off. Just demonstrating capability.
When he left the locker room, all three girls were waiting in the hallway outside.
"That was impressive," Gwen said immediately. "Your reaction time and spatial awareness are exceptional. Almost like you knew what your opponents were going to do before they did it."
"Good instincts," Peter said. "And lots of practice reading body language."
"Very good instincts," Felicia agreed. She was leaning against the wall casually.
"You're full of surprises, Parker."
"I try to keep things interesting."
MJ stepped forward. "I need to interview you for the article. Can we talk now?"
Before Peter could answer, his phone buzzed. Text from Uncle Ben.
"Rain check?" Peter asked MJ. "Family thing just came up."
MJ looked disappointed but nodded.
"Tomorrow then. Coffee after school. Don't forget."
"I won't forget.".
Peter headed toward the exit. As he walked down the hallway, all three girls watched him go.
"He's different," Gwen said quietly.
"Very different," Felicia agreed.
MJ just nodded. Her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
Read till chapter 39 on Patreon - marvelstark
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